CATULLUS 45

Septimus held his love Acme and said
'May I be struck down if I should ever fail
to love you madly? May I rot in jail
get eaten by a lion or drop down dead!'

Cupid sneezed twice in blessing. Acme kissed
her sweet boy's eyes. 'My limbs and organs burn
with gorgeous fire. So let us love, and earn
the gifts of our true master. Let him list

us with the truest lovers he has blessed.'
The god sneezed twice more. No one's ever been
happier than these two or has ever seen
love quite so much more true than all the rest.

Offer them wealth, or provinces to rule,
instead of love - they'd smile and call you fool.

CATULLUS 46

Now spring will drive harsh winter's cold away;
and howling gales shrink to a gentle breeze.
In Phrygia you either burn or freeze,
so take your leave, Catullus, go and play

in Asia's cities. It's the time of year
when we're all on the move. So friends, let's go
our separate ways. We'll meet again, I know,
once we get home, just as we met out here.